Chapter 3

It doesn't matter how fast a lie can run.
In the end, the truth will always catch up.

Diego didn't found his father in the garden. Instead, he found Victoria in the corner that used to be his mother's favourite spot. She was asleep.
Victoria looked like Sleeping beauty. He wished Diego could be her Prince Charming, kissing her to wake. She looked like she had a nice dream. The smile on her face almost took his breath away. Was Victoria dreaming of Zorro? A part of him hoped not, made him wish she was dreaming of Diego. Wishful thinking he knew.
Sighing, he had to wake this sleeping beauty. When Victoria had fallen asleep, the bench must have been in the shadow. Now the full sunlight started to come over her body. He did not want her to get a sunburn. "Victoria," Diego whispered.

Victoria was dreaming Zorro had taken off his mask and had removed some clothes. His shirt undone, so she could wander her hands over his muscled body, which looked remarkably similar to the parts she had seen of Diego's body. Victoria closed her eyes and was just about to let her lips follow the same trace as her hands had when Zorro whispered her name. Opening her eyes only half, she saw a pair of sky blue eyes and a black moustache. "You have come."
Crossing the distance between his and her lips. Closing her eyes again, still enjoying the dream she had. Coming to reality now, Victoria kissed him. It felt so real like it wasn't a dream at all.
His mouth felt so real warm, his lips soft, the nice tickling sensation. Victoria placed her hands on his shoulders. Zorro leaned forwards to be closer to her. Muscles, tightening under her fingers. Victoria could not hold in a moan. Letting herself fall backwards into the pillows, pulling Zorro with her, so he was half laying on top of her. Softly she whispered, "Zorro...,"

Zorro, that one word broke the illusion.

Suddenly Diego was totally aware of what he was doing. Victoria was kissing Zorro, not him. The second their lips tore apart, Victoria's eyes flew open. Seeing the man she had been kissing in her dream wasn't an unmasked hero. But her closest friend. "Diego…" Pushing him away, jumping up from the bench.

"I... I…, am sorry." It had felt like she really had been in Zorro's arms. How could she have been so wrong? Diego must think she was wanton. How was she ever going to face him again? Diego was her friend. She had seen it, the glimpse of embarrassment and what had to be disgust. Diego was always so proper. He must despise her.

Time seemed to stand still.
Diego spotted some movement from the corner of his eye. It was Felipe. He sees the sleeves of Victoria's blouse pushed so far down it reveals parts of her undergarment. Victoria has noticed it too, for her cheeks become fiery red.
Diego gets up to stand in front of her. With his body blocking the view for Felipe. The young boy knows he has interfered with something. Panic is on Felipe's face, and he starts signing something. "Mendoza, is getting worse?"

Felipe nods and runs back to the hacienda, knowing Diego will follow him.

In the meantime, Victoria had made herself decent again. The blush on her face the only thing reminding her what had happened. "Let's never talk about this." Running in the direction of the hacienda. Diego tried to grab her arm. All he holds is air for Victoria to rush to the hacienda.
She needs to get out of here. Everywhere will do..., as long as it is somewhere else. Anywhere but here. In her blind effort to get as far away as possible, she bumps against don Alejandro. Who just comes out of the hacienda to enter the garden in search of his son.

The young woman bumping into him makes the old don lose his balance, and he starts to fall backwards. In an effort not to fall over, Alejandro spreads his arms to find something to hold on to. Alejandro makes some steps back his feet meet a crooked tile. "Au," taking one more step backwards, the don finds his balance again. Hanging in the doorpost to support himself with both hands. "This is the second time I hurt my foot."
He gets himself up to his feet again. Making carefully two steps before putting his full weight on the foot he had hurt before. The don sees Victoria is upset, "Victoria, my dear, what is the matter?"
The woman in front of him was trembling all over and heavy breathing. After she made sure the old don was fine Victoria, started to run again. Cross the library, opening the front door to go to the stable. Saddle her horse and go back to the pueblo as soon as possible.

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Diego saw his father before he could say anything, his father started to talk. " Diego, there you are. I have been searching for you. Come to my office, corporal Sulpevelda is there, and you won't believe what he just told me. By the way, do you know why Victoria is so upset?"

Diego pretended not to have a clue.

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Diego felt torn, the sergeant needed him. And at the same time, his father needed him. And then there was Victoria. More than anything else, he wanted to go after her. Which he couldn't. Alejandro sees that for some reason, his son is unsure what to do. "Is something the matter, Diego? What happened?"

Again Diego puts his own need aside. He did what was the most urgent first. "Mendoza, Felipe came to get me. He's getting worse."

"I'll send for the doctor."

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In the hours that followed, Diego didn't even have time to think of Victoria even had he wanted to. Sulpevelda and his father told him what had happened this morning. In the end, it was decided his father and Sulpevelda going to San Diego. To talk, with the alcalde there.
He was the nearest officer with the same authorities de Soto had. They would have to ride fast if they wanted to arrive before evening the next day in San Diego.

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In the hacienda, the doctor, Felipe and Diego were fighting for Mendoza's life. His fever was rising and rising. They forced the man to swallow teaspoon by teaspoon the medicine to help break the fever. The sheets got drained with sweat. Doctor Hernandez told if the fever and infection wouldn't become less in the next couple of hours, the leg needed to be amputated. That was the sergeants only chance for survival. If it comes to that, the doctor had to perform a very dangerous and painful operation. Not sure the sergeant was to survive, and even if he did, his life was never going to be the same.

Diego and Felipe filled the bathtub with cold water. With the help of the doctor, the sergeant placed in it, wearing only his undergarment. After that, Mendoza was placed on the bed again, where the doctor fed him another glass of the medicine. The men kept repeated six times during the long night and early morning, slowly making some progress. The fever was getting slightly down. All the men were exhausted when finally Mendoza started to wake up. " Why am I so wet? I am so cold and hungry." were the sergeant's first words.

The fever was broken.

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Later that day, don Alejandro and corporal Sulpevelda entered the office of alcalde of San Diego. They told the man what was going on in Los Angeles. It did not take long before the alcalde excused himself for a second. Coming back sometime later accompanied by a high ranked officer.

"My name is emissary Cortéz. "The officer introduced himself. "I have come to California to investigated on the alcalde of Los Angeles. I understand you have just arrived, coming from Los Angeles?"

"That is correct Señor Cortéz, I am Alejandro de la Vega and this is corporal Sulpevelda." Alejandro points at the man standing to his left. Sulpevelda saluted the emissary. Alejandro was curious why this man was interested in de Soto. "Tell me, señor Cortez, if you have come all this way to investigate on Alcalde de Soto, what are you doing in San Diego?"

"Don Alejandro, corporal, I arrived only two days ago. May I ask, does the name Don Fernando Solea, ring any bell?"

"No," Alejandro tried to recall, or he had ever heard the name before. "I can not say it does, señor."

"Permission to speak señores." Sulpevelda intervened. The emissary nodded to approve. "I think I do remember, wasn't don Fernando, the Royal tax collector and assessor who came to collect last year's taxes? You remember him, don Alejandro. It was when that imposter collected the taxes first. You even named your stallion Emilio. It was all thanks to Zorro it all ended well. He saved us, lancers, out of that cave and retrieved the stolen money. So that the tax could be paid."

"Your right, corporal! Now I remember. I was so angry at myself I sold Emilio almost for free." After the don had slapped a fist against his other hand, he went on speaking to the emissary. "What is it, with this don Fernando, you have come all the way to California? He wasn't also a fraud, was he?" Alejandro asked the emissary.

The man smiled. "No, you do not need to worry, don Alejandro. Don Fernando is a real tax collector. Allow me to explain. Ignatio de Soto was never appointed as alcalde of your pueblo."

"He wasn't? What makes you say that? Who is our alcalde if it isn't de Soto?" The more Alejandro heard less sense it made.

"Don Javier Miguel Francisco Carroga had been appointed alcalde after the death of Luis Ramon. Don Javier's dead body was found nine months ago. He was identified by the hand of his pocket watch. Investigations revealed that Ignacio de Soto probably killed him. De Soto is a known criminal and is wanted in Madrid for murder, fraud, theft, bribery corruption and other crimes.
There is a bounty of eight thousand pesos on his head. Actually, I am surprised, he is here under his own name. All the forms he sends to Spain he signs with the name of Javier Correga. I would have thought de Soto would not dare use his name."

"That is the name he introduced himself with." Alejandro was trying to find a logical explanation for that matter.

"No, it wasn't." Corporal Sulpevelda interrupted again. "Excuse me again, permission to speak por favor?" The emissary waved his hand that Sulpevelda could go on.
"It was don Diego who introduced him, don't you remember? They have been old schoolmates, and don Diego knew his name."

"Ah, that explains why he couldn't use Correga's name. He was recognized." The emissary relieved a part of the puzzle, was solved easily. " Anyway, de Soto is wanted in Spain. And when Fernando Solea arrived back in Madrid, he recognized de Soto on the wanted posters and by his name, of course. And, so I have come to see if the information Solea has given the authorities is correct. The alcalde here has told me you also have something on de Soto."

Alejandro wanted to smile. It seemed the end of de Soto was near. "Si señor, we sure have."

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Two days later, just after noon, don Alejandro, corporal Sulpevelda, don Cortez and eight Royal lancers arrived in Los Angeles. De Soto tried to talk himself out of the accusations, but it was no use. The prison carriage had travelled along. And de Soto was prepared for transport to Monterey. Supervised, by emissary Cortéz and don Alejandro.
Emissary Cortéz saying to don Alejandro. "It is up to the governor to sentence de Soto for his crimes. He probably is going to hang. Don Alejandro, corporal Sulpevelda told me, in the past, you were acting alcalde before. May I ask you again to take up this heavy task?
I have heard about you, even in Spain. And I see that you are respected in the pueblo. I trust that you will appoint the next alcalde. With the welfare of the settlement in mind. Los Angeles has already suffered for far too long."

" I am honoured, your emissary. I don't know what to say. It feels like too much credit."

During the drive, from San Diego to Los Angeles, Emissary Cortéz had got a good idea of what kind of man Alejandro de la Vega was. He had also spoken to the corporal. He was sure he was making the right decision. "It is a one-time offer, don Alejandro. You will have full authority."

The emissary had seen correct, don Alejandro had the benefit of the pueblo in mind when he answered the emissary. "Then I shall accept and write out elections, so the people can decide who can serve them best."

" A wise decision, don Alejandro. You can start from this moment on."

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Victoria was standing next to Diego on the porch of the tavern. To see how Ignacio de Soto was put in the prisoner carriage, to take him to Monterey as a common criminal.
The square was crowded everyone wanted to see the departure of the alcalde. The news of de Soto arrested, and a special emissary had come all the way from Madrid. Cause de Soto turned out to have an even higher bounty on his head than his biggest nemesis, Zorro.

The emissary wanted to make a speech and asked for silence. "Good people of Los Angeles. You have suffered, by the way, your fraudulent alcalde ruled. Not only does it turn out, but he is also a cold-blooded murderer. But also that he has stolen money from you, your pueblo, California and Spain.
I have offered Alejandro de la Vega the position of acting alcalde. And as the one, allowed to appoint the new alcalde. To make sure the next alcalde will be a man who has the best interest in the pueblo in his mind. And he will serve you and this pueblo well.
Don Alejandro has told me he has already planned to lower the taxes, redeem Zorro and write out fair elections!"

People started cheering by hearing so much good news. And only a few standing close by heard the emissary say. "And final, your corporal Sulpevelda, who has claimed the bounty money on de Soto's head, has donated the eight thousand pesos reward. So it will be spent for the benefit of the pueblo!"

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After the door of the carriage in which de Soto was to travel had been locked, the prisoner's car slowly started to move.
Victoria looked at the tall handsome caballero who stood beside her. It had taken her some time, but she had no intention of waiting any longer. She licked her lips, smiled and said. "I always preferred spring weddings. What do you think, don Diego?"

Diego had focused all his attention on de Soto. He had always believed that there was something good in the man but too well hidden. Discovering the truth was painful for the young don. He had never considered de Soto a friend. He had always refused to believe, that there wasn't anything good to be found in his former fellow student. And it was hard to accept that he was capable of all the terrible crimes de Soto was now accused of. Vaguely Diego had heard the question Victoria had asked him. Something about a wedding?
"What? Oh, si, a spring wedding sounds nice. Why do you ask, señorita?"

"Just checking, or you approve of it. I want to start planning our wedding."

Diego was again deep in thoughts it took some time before it sank in what she had said. Our wedding? "Victoria...what..." Turning to her, Diego saw a wicked smile on her face.

Victoria made a small Z in the air before she wrapped her arms around the shoulders of the tall caballero. "This." Kissing her love in front of almost all the people living in and near Los Angeles.

It was corporal Sulpevelda who saw this first and yelled. "The señorita and don Diego will get married!" Everyone in the plaza started applauding.

Padre Benitez stepped forward, pleased to say the words he had wanted to say for years. "My congratulations, don Diego, señorita Victoria. I think the two of you waited long enough. I can arrange it all today if you want. It is a beautiful day to get married. It is Saint Valentine today. A day that seems very fitted for the two of you to get married on."

Diego glanced around. Some people in the plaza seemed to understand just as much as he was. Yet most of the lancers, the doctor, the padre and some citizens started to applause. "I am not sure, I mean, señorita Escalante just told me, she prefers a spring wedding," Diego stuttered.

Victoria was only smiling, "Diego Sebastián de la Vega, I'll marry you any day. Summer, winter, spring or fall."

When she kissed him again, a loud noise echoed over the plaza. It was de Soto riding past the tavern, seeing all of a sudden what he had never wanted to see or understand clearly. "De la Vega! Noooooooooo!"

Don Alejandro came closer, tapping his son on his shoulder. "I hope you finally have something you want to tell me?"

"Father, I…"

"It is alright, son. Seeing your scars when I found you asleep in the bathtub gave me the first clue. The second one was when I remembered our hacienda also has a hidden entrance to an escape route. You should have told me before, but I am proud of you."

Sulpevelda's mouth fell open when he heard the don say this. "Don Alejandro, do you mean you didn't know? I mean, I have only known for some weeks now, but we all thought you knew."

Don Alejandro sighed. "I think some things are the hardest for people to accept and see to those who are the closest." Seeing this happening, everyone seemed to start to understand the meaning of this and started cheering. "Zorro, Zorro, Zorro!"

Sulpevelda turned to don Diego. 'You did not really think we lancers are that bad in fighting and shooting, did you? We never really wanted to fight you. It was sergeant Mendoza who found out your identity first. A couple of weeks ago, in case you want to know. Even before we found out, we tried to help you. You don't want to know how many times we fired blanks at you."

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After the wedding ceremony, the fiesta organized in the pueblo. In a short amount of time. It was bigger than anyone had ever seen.
Everybody celebrated the marriage of the pueblo's greatest hero and much-respected don with the handsome tavern owner. Not only that but also the farewell of the alcalde. The recovery of the sergeant. The return of the horses. Zorro, no longer being an outlaw. Finally, having a fair alcalde and soon the first fair elections were to be held was celebrated.
A bed was placed in the church. And except for a few young children and sergeant Mendoza, who had insisted on joining the ceremony. There wasn't a living soul in the pueblo that slept that night.
When around three o'clock at night, a drunk Felipe started to sing happy birthday, it was the only time the entire tavern silenced for three whole seconds. After that, the boy, everyone beliefs could not speak or hear. The boy lifted upon the shoulders of two lancers and carried around the plaza countless times.
Diego and Victoria tried to sneak away a few times. Every time they were intercepted and forced to shake hands. Accept hugs, thanks and people expressing their joy and gratitude to the groom for helping them all that time.

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When Victoria and Diego finally made it into the bedroom, Victoria fell asleep before her head even hit the pillow.

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It was already afternoon when Victoria woke up in a strange bed. She was in the arms of her hero. Victoria did not remember how she got here. A little relieved, she was still wearing her clothes and had not missed making her marriage official.
Diego was looking at her. Seeing she was awake, he asked the question that had been burning on his lips. "How did you know?"

"Thinking back on it, all I can think is, how could I not have known. Had I listened to my heart, you couldn't have fooled me. Diego, you have always been my other half." The answer was rewarded, with a passionate kiss.

" I had been considering the possibility sometimes over the years. I found out for sure after we had kissed in the garden. I dreamed I kissed you, Zorro and Diego both at the same time. I know it sounds weird. After that kiss, I realized that was precisely what I had been doing. And all my dreams had come true. Diego, make me your wife. Make love to me."

Diego felt happier than ever believed possible said. "Your wish is my command, Señora de la Vega." His mouth kissed her sweet lips.

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Three months, later Diego de la Vega was installed as the first fairly elected alcalde of the pueblo Los Angeles. Sulpevelda was promoted to sergeant and became alcalde de la Vega most trusted helper.
In the years that followed, the small pueblo flourished.
Sergeant Mendoza never completely recovered from being shot in his leg. Since then, he was always walking a little crippled. And so, no longer able to join the army, he resigned. And spend the rest of his days working in the tavern. Mendoza poured drinks for customers and telling stories about how he and his lancers had secretly helped Zorro for years.
Those stories got better and more impressive every time he told one of them. Nobody minded a bit and always asking the former sergeant for another story.
Felipe went to the university in Mexico, and when he returned, six years later, he became a layer in Los Angeles.
Alcalde de la Vega announced not to run for a third term, for he wanted to spend more time with his lovely wife and four children. Lieutenant Sulpevelda, who had refused promotion to captain for years. He didn't want to leave the pueblo, finally accepted the promotion, resigned from the army and became the second fairly elected alcalde.

The first ceremonial thing alcalde Sulpevelda did was reveal a plaquette, honouring the greatest hero the pueblo had ever seen.
When the Mexican Revolution came, Sulpevelda was elected again. And so, he became the last Spanish and the first Mexican alcalde.

The end.

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I hope you enjoyed this story. And do not hold it against me. I did not meet all the elements required. ;)
I liked the idea not all lancers followed de Soto's orders blind. That actually they had a mind of their own and were better skilled than shown in the series.

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